MSN - Postdoctoral Position in Batteries Recycling

Postdoctoral Position in Batteries Recycling: Process Optimization and Environmental Impact Assessment

Expected Date of Employment: May 2025

Job Description:

We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher specializing in battery recycling, process optimization, and environmental impact assessment to join our research team. This position focuses on developing sustainable and efficient recycling processes for battery materials, including the recovery of valuable metals and minimization of environmental impact.

The successful candidate will work on:

• Advancing current recycling technologies to improve efficiency and economic feasibility.

• Exploring novel material recovery methods to enhance metal extraction and reusability.

• Optimizing existing recycling processes to reduce energy consumption and environmental footprint.

• Assessing environmental impact using life cycle assessment (LCA) and other sustainability metrics.

This position will provide access to state-of-the-art infrastructure for materials characterization, process development, and environmental impact assessment. The postdoc will work closely with existing recycling and sustainability initiatives at the Department, supporting research integration, knowledge sharing, and infrastructure development.

The candidate will also contribute to:

• Facilitating collaboration among research groups in battery recycling.

• Assisting in the development of large-scale research proposals.

• Translating fundamental research findings into industrially viable recycling processes.

A postdoctoral research fellowship is a qualification position designed to prepare candidates for academic and industry leadership roles.

Key Responsibilities:

• Development of innovative recycling strategies for Lithium-ion and Sodium-ion batteries.

• Optimization of hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical processes for efficient metal recovery.

• Utilization of material characterization techniques, including: 

  • Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) for metal composition analysis.

  • X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRD) and Rietveld refinement for structural identification.

  • Electron microscopy (SEM, TEM, EDS) for morphological and compositional studies.

  • Raman spectroscopy for surface chemistry investigations.

• Environmental and Economic Assessment of Recycling Processes, including: 

  • Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to evaluate carbon footprint and resource efficiency.

  • Techno-economic analysis to assess cost-effectiveness of recycling methodologies.

• Scale-up and industrialization of recycling processes in collaboration with industrial partners.

• Collaboration and Research Coordination: 

  • Facilitating knowledge exchange among multidisciplinary teams.

  • Assisting in funding proposal preparation.

  • Co-supervising Master’s and PhD students in the field of battery recycling.

Required Qualifications & Experience:

• Education:

  • Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Environmental Engineering, or a related field.

  • PhD in Materials Chemistry, Electrochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or related disciplines.

• Essential Technical Expertise:

  • Strong background in battery recycling processes and material recovery techniques.

  • Expertise in hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical extraction methods.

  • Hands-on experience with ICP, XRD, SEM/EDS, TEM, Raman spectroscopy.

  • Knowledge of solvent extraction, leaching, and electrochemical recycling techniques.

  • Experience in life cycle assessment (LCA) and sustainability analysis.

• Desirable Additional Skills:

  • Understanding of circular economy principles for battery recycling.

  • Experience in process scale-up and industrial applications.

  • Familiarity with regulatory and environmental policies on battery waste management.

  • Prior experience in co-supervision and mentoring of PhD/Master’s students.

Competences & Personal Qualities:

• Excellent communication skills in English (spoken and written).

• Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary and multicultural research team.

• Strong networking and organizational skills to facilitate collaborations and industrial partnerships.

This position presents an exciting opportunity to contribute to next-generation battery recycling technologies with a strong academic and industrial impact.

Interested candidates should apply with a detailed CV, cover letter, and relevant publications.